Archive for September, 2012

NORWEGIAN BLACK METALLERS CREST OF DARKNESS ANNOUNCE LINEUP CHANGE

Posted: September 27, 2012 in CREST OF DARKNESS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Norwegian Black Metallers CREST OF DARKNESS have today announced a change in lineup that sees the departure of  Kjell Arne Hubred after seven years with the band, and the arrival of DJEVELKULT guitarist Jan Fredrik Solheim to replace him.  “It’s sad to be saying goodbye to Kjell Arne after all this time” said founder and front man Ingar Amlien, “but he has a young family and with CREST OF DARKNESS intending to work harder than ever, it was too difficult for him to devote the amount of time to the band that would be needed, and that’s something we understand.  We’ve been very lucky in finding Jan Fredrik to replace him.  He’s young, talented, highly motivated and has plenty of ambition.  We’ve rehearsed with him several times and it was obvious that he knew CREST OF DARKNESS’ music long before he joined us.  With the release of our new album imminent, he has brought a renewed sense of enthusiasm and purpose to the band, and as far as I’m concerned we’re sounding better and stronger than ever”.

Formed in the mid-nineties by Amlien, CREST OF DARKNESS is a totally different beast from his former band CONCEPTION, which at that time was at the peak of its popularity.  Whilst CONCEPTION tended towards the Progressive side of Power Metal, CREST OF DARKNESS allowed Amlien to indulge his passion for sonic brutality and his interest in vampirism and Satanic ideology, both of which are reflected in the band’s lyrics.   Aside from Amlien on bass and vocals and Solheim on guitars, CREST OF DARKNESS’ current lineup includes Rebo on guitars and Kjetil Hektoen on drums.  Having so far released five full-length albums, the band is set to release their sixth, titled “In the Presence of Death”, on My Kingdom Music shortly.  More information about CREST OF DARKNESS can be found on the band’s website at http://www.crestofdarkness.com/

The official video for the track “Dru Nasu” from CREST OF DARKNESS’ album “Give Us the Power to Do Your Evil” can be seen below and at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfMmS-EHM1s

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website:  http://www.crestofdarkness.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial
MySpace:  http://www.myspace.com/crestofdarkness
Band Contact and Booking: contact@crestofdarkness.com
Management and Booking:  patriciathomas@btinternet.com
https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
My Kingdom Music:  info@mykingdommusic.net
http://www.mykingdommusic.net/

VULTURE INDUSTRIES BEGIN WORK ON NEW ALBUM

Posted: September 25, 2012 in OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, VULTURE INDUSTRIES
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Norwegian Progressive Extreme Metallers VULTURE INDUSTRIES entered the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen early last week to begin work on their third full-length album which is set for release on Season of Mist next year.   The band plan to issue studio updates at regular intervals on their Facebook page at http://www.vulture-industries.net/ so that fans can follow the progress of the album.

So far the drums have been recorded, and frontman Bjornar Nilsen, who is also producing the album, commented that the band set out to aim for a much more organic and dynamic sound this time around, and that so far he is very pleased with the result.  Once the album has been recorded, mixing will be carried out at the Fascination Street Studios in Orebro,  Sweden, by Jens Brogen who is known for his work with OPETH, PARADISE LOST, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, ENSLAVED and IHSAHN, amongst others.

Based in Bergen, and with two critically acclaimed releases already under their belts, VULTURE INDUSTRIES’ line up is composed of Bjornar Nilsen (BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) on vocals, keys and programming,   Øyvind Madsen (SULPHUR, ex-ENSLAVED) and Eivind Huse (SULPHUR) on guitars, Kyrre Teigen on bass and Tor Helge Gjengedal (ex-TAAKE) on drums.   Nilsen, who is himself one of Norway’s leading producers, is known for his highly theatrical on-stage performances that earn VULTURE INDUSTRIES a myriad of new fans wherever they play.

VULTURE INDUSTRIES next live appearance will be at the Phantoms of Pilsen Festival in the Czech Republic on the 6th October. More information about VULTURE INDUSTRIES can be found on the band’s website at http://www.vulture-industries.net

VULTURE INDUSTRIES INFO:
Band Contact: bjornar@vulture-industries.net
Management & Booking: Propulsion Music:  http://www.propulsionmusic.no/
Vulture Industries Website: http://www.vulture-industries.net
Vulture Industries on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vultureindustries
Vulture Industries on SoundCloud:  http://soundcloud.com/vulture-industries
Vulture Industries WebShop: http://vultureindustries.bigcartel.com/
Vulture Industries on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/vultureindustries
Vulture Industries on ReverbNation:  http://www.reverbnation.com/vultureindustries

RAGNAROK SIGNS EUROPEAN BOOKING DEAL WITH THE MYTHOLOGY AGENCY

Posted: September 21, 2012 in OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, RAGNAROK
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With the release of their seventh full-length album  “Malediction” imminent, Norwegian Black Metallers RAGNAROK have inked a deal with the UK-based MYTHOLOGY AGENCY to handle all the band’s European booking.  “Mythology is very excited about joining forces with a Norwegian Black Metal band of the standing and reputation of RAGNAROK” commended Mythologies’ Jake Gill who will be overseeing the bookings, “I have myself been a fan of the band for longer than I can remember, so it’s a double pleasure for me to be working with these guys”.

RAGNAROK founder and drummer Jontho had this to say about the collaboration “When we set about planning RAGNAROK’s future several months ago, one of the big priorities for us was to set up a solid team to work alongside the band.  An unholy trinity if you like who understood what RAGNAROK was all about, and would be willing to put as much of themselves into the band as we do ourselves.  Mythology has some extraordinary bands on their roster, and they have an in-depth understanding of the genre and with them alongside our Manager Patricia Thomas, and our label Agonia Records, the final piece is now in place, and we are ready to take RAGNAROK all the way.”

Details of “Malediction”, which was recorded, mixed and mastered by MARDUK’S Devo at his Endarker Studios in Sweden, and produced by RAGNAROK and Devo, were revealed recently.  The album will appear in three formats – Jewel Case CD, Digital Download and Limited Edition Vinyl which will come with an exclusive bonus track, with the first 100 copies available on brown vinyl and hand numbered.  “Malediction is set for release on the 30th October in Europe and the 6th November in North America.  “Blood of Saints” a track from “Malediction” was debuted earlier this week by Agonia Records, and can now be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page at http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial/ragnarok-blood-of-saints

Later this year, RAGNAROK will play their first show in North America, when they headline the three day Messe des Mortes Festival in Montreal, Canada, on the 24th November.  Commented Jontho: “It’s tremendously exciting to be able to play in North America after all these years, and we hope that this will be the first of many visits. We are also aiming to return to South America, where we have always received such a tremendous welcome from the fans”.  RAGNAROK will also appear at the Metal Legacy Festival in Stromstad, Sweden on the 27th October, whilst Kings of Black Metal in Germany is the first show to have been announced in 2013, with more festival appearances and promotional tours planned.  More information about RAGNAROK can be found on the band’s website at http://www.ragnarokhorde.com/

RAGNAROK’s “Collectors of the King” video can be seen below and on the bands YouTube channel at at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdRPw1tPl5E

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
Website: http://www.ragnarokhorde.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/RagnarokNorway
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ragnarok
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/ragnarokhorde
European Booking: jake@mythology-live.com Management: https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
Management Contact: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Label: http://www.agoniarecords.com
For promo copies: info@agoniarecords.com

RELEASE DATE, TRACK LISTING AND ARTWORK OF UPCOMING RAGNAROK ALBUM REVEALED

Posted: September 11, 2012 in OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, RAGNAROK
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Details of the latest release from Norwegian Black Metallers RAGNAROK have been revealed today.  Titled “Malediction”, the album, which  was recorded, mixed and mastered by Devo (MARDUK) at his Endarker Studios in Sweden and produced by RAGNAROK and Devo, will be the band’s seventh full-length and it is set for release on Agonia Records on the 30th October in Europe and the 6th November in North America.  “Malediction” will be available in three formats – Jewel Case CD, Digital Download and Limited Edition Vinyl which will come with an exclusive bonus track, with the first 100 copies available on brown vinyl and hand numbered.  Artwork for “Malediction” is by Perversor and All band photos shot and edited by Jon Løvstad.

Track listing for “Malediction” as follows:
1. Blood of Saints
2. Demon in My View
3. Necromantic Summoning Ritual
4. Divide et Impera
5. (Dolce et Decorum Est) Pro Patria Mori
6. Dystocratic
7. Iron Cross – Posthumous
8. The Elevenfold Seal
9. Fade Into Obscurity
10. Sword of Damocles
11. Retribution (exclusive vinyl bonus track)

Formed in 1994 by drummer Jontho and then-bassist Jerv, RAGNAROK’s current lineup includes Jontho on drums, Hans Fyrst on vocals, DezeptiCunt on Bass and Bolverk on guitars.  RAGNAROK will make their first live appearance in North America when they headline the Messe des Mortes Festival in Montreal, Canada, on the 24th November.  Next European appearance will be at the Metal Legacy festival in Stromstad, Sweden, on the 27th October. More information about RAGNAROK can be found on the band’s website at http://www.ragnarokhorde.com

RAGNAROK’s “Collectors of the King” video can be seen below:

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
Website: http://www.ragnarokhorde.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/RagnarokNorway
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ragnarok
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/ragnarokhorde
Management: https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
Management Contact: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Label: http://www.agoniarecords.com
For promo copies: info@agoniarecords.com

PANTHEON I GO OLD-SCHOOL WITH TAPE RELEASE

Posted: September 11, 2012 in OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, PANTHEON I
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With three full-length albums to their credit, Norwegian Extreme Metallers PANTHEON I have gone old-school and rereleased their 2006 debut album “Atrocity Divine” as a limited edition tape.  Commented front man Andre’ Kvebek: “I think a lot of people still remember the days of tape releases with a certain fondness and even those who weren’t around at the time associate tapes with the beginnings of the underground scene, and it was definitely something we wanted for at least one of PANTHEON I’s releases, so when the opportunity arose, we were more than happy to say yes”.    The tape version of “Atrocity Divine” is released on Silent Scream Records on the 10th September, and is limited to 150 copies.  Artwork is by the Norwegian artist Kjell Åge Meland.

Formed in late 2002 in Oslo, Norway, PANTHEON I’s music combines brutality, aggression and speed with melodic interludes that, unlike the majority of bands, are not played using synths and string samples, but on the cello by classically trained Live Julianne Kostøl.  The band’s line up underwent a change last year with the addition of former ABSU guitarist Aethyris McKay, who not only contributes his writing skills and clean vocals to the band, but also allows frontman Kvebek (DEN SAAKALDTE, ex-1349) to step out from behind his guitar on stage.   As well as Kvebek, McKay and  Live Julianne, the line up includes Sagstad (TROLLFEST, SARKOM) on guitars, T.R.S. on bass (1349, DEN SAAKALDTE) and MADS G on drums (THE ALL SEEING I, ZEENON).

PANTHEON I are currently on the pre-production stage of their fourth full-length album and plan to enter the studio later this year to being recording.  More information about PANTHEON I can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pantheoni

The official video for the track “Serpent Christ” from the PANTHEON I album “Worlds I Create” can be seen below:

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: http://www.pantheon-i.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pantheoni
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/pantheoni
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/pantheon-i
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/pantheoni
Band Contact & Booking: pantheon@hotmail.com
Management & Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com

SHINING REVEALS HISTORY BEHIND NEW VIDEO STORYLINE

Posted: September 4, 2012 in OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, SHINING
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Following yesterday’s exclusive release through the internet press of their new video for the track “Tillsammans Är Vi Allt” from the band’s seventh full length album “VII / Född Förlorare”, SHINING have today released the video on their own YouTube channel, and have revealed the real history behind the storyline.  The video can be seen below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iULz19Cc7yw

Contrary to how the video has been interpreted by both some press and fans alike, who have mistaken it for a simple glossy music video, there is, in fact, a symbolism behind it, one which both SHINING frontman Niklas Kvarforth, and guest vocalist Håkan “Nordman” Hemlin, are all too familiar with.   Taking as its theme a wedding between a dominant and corrupting groom, portrayed by Kvarforth, and a desirable and deceptively innocent bride, portrayed by Swedish model December Wiklund, the video uses their marriage to symbolise the insidious effects of substance abuse.   By the end of the video, the roles have been reversed, with the bride having complete control over the groom, in the same way that substance abuse becomes a marriage between the drug and the user, subtly taking over and destroying the addict’s life, and leaving him unable to give up the very thing that is destroying him.

The “Tillsammans Är Vi Allt” video is more than a trite music video replete with the mandatory titillation of sex and blood.  It is Kvarforth’s vision of a life-consuming obsession depicted through imagery, as opposed to simply music and lyrics.  Both Kvarforth and Hemlin, who appears in live footage throughout the video, have experienced the effects of substance abuse in the past. They have survived the obsession that has destroyed others and come through to the other side with more control of their lives, but their performance both live and on the album itself clearly shows that re-living that past brought a sense of anguish to their interpretation.

Live footage was filmed during the band’s appearance at the Club Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland, in October of last year.  The concept itself was created by Kvarforth, working  together with director Martin Strandberg, who was behind SHINING’s first video “Förtvivlan, Min Arvedel” and with photographer Martin Eriksson of Hill Fifty and producer Jussi Hyttinen of FLC 415, to bring to life the blood infused, disturbing vision of addiction and obsession that anyone who has been there will recognise.

SHINING’s eighth full-length album, “Redefining Darkness”, is due for release on Spinefarm Records on October 29th.  More information about SHINING can be found on the band’s website at http://www.shiningasylum.com/

 

SHINING INFORMATION
Website:http://www.shiningasylum.com/
Merchandise: http://www.shininglegions.com/
Shining on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shiningofficial
Official  YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/OfficialShining
Shining on MySpace: www.myspace.com/shininghalmstad
Shining on ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/shining
Management: nelli.ahvenlahti@gmail.com
PR: patriciathomas@btinternet.com

THE STONE SET TO TOUR WITH ISVIND

Posted: September 2, 2012 in OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES, THE STONE
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Black Metallers THE STONE are set to join ISVIND on the road in September as the Norwegians embark on one of their rare tours.  Routing for the seven-day “Through Dark Waters and Barren Earth” tour is as follows:

Sun 09 – Gloppe, Leeuwarden, NL
Mon 10 – TBA
Tue 11 – Marx, Hamburg, DE
Wed 12 – Zuckerfabrick, Rostock, DE
Thu 13 – K17, Berlin, DE
Fri 14 – Klex, Greifswald, DE
Sat 15 – Morion, Stettin, PL

Formed in Belgrade, Serbia, under the name STONE TO FLESH in 1996, THE STONE has, since its inception, grown to become an internationally recognized Black Metal band with a plethora of releases, tours, festivals and live appearances under its belt.   THE STONE’s  first full length album “Some Wounds Bleed Forever” appeared on CCP records in 2000 and was followed by several more releases before the band came to the attention of the cult German label Folter Records in 2006.  In a move that was to bring THE STONE to the attention of fans world-wide, Folter released the band’s fourth full length album “Magla”.

Over the next few years there were  releases and re-release of more material in different formats, including the “Live Curse from the East” DVD,  but essentially THE STONE spent this time building on the success of “Magla” and becoming more and more familiar to concert goers thanks to their dynamic live performances.  2009 saw the release of the band’s fifth full length album “Umro” on Folter Records, and their sixth full length album “Golet” appeared in late 2011, once again on Folter Records and showed the band at its most mature and skilled to date, with praise being heaped on the album from journalists and fans alike.  THE STONE’s current lineup comprises Nefas on Vocals, Kozeljnik and Demonetras on Guitars, L.G. on Drums and Usud on Bass Guitar.  More information about THE STONE can be found on the band’s website at www.thestonehorde.com

The official video for the track “Nikad Bliži Smrti” from the “Golet” album can be seen below or at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcquA7VAkKs

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: www.thestonehorde.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thestonehorde
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/thestonehorde
ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/thestonehorde
MySpace: www.myspace.com/thestonehorde
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TheStoneOfficial
Band Contact and Booking: band@thestonehorde.com
Management, PR and Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Folter Records: folter.rec@snafu.de